Tools, competencies and Stage reflections

DISCOVER STAGE:
A hands on stage where children really had to think outside the square, the information that they were searching for wasn't necessarily found in conventional areas. Children were required to design, create and market a product - it was the gathering of information that really saw the use of ICT and competencies in action.
Children worked together in groups to locate materials, it was amazing to see the children so confidently bargin with suppliers, to make deals that suited them and to use technologies to help them. Children sourced materials, made deals as far as sponsorship goes and managed to negotiate their way into making a considerable profit. Each group had an intial budget of five dollars but by the time the 'selling day' was upon us, six groups had made over $270.00 profit! Groups managed to contact merchants, negotiate and compare items and prices and get things shipped from various parts of the north island free of charge. They became true entrepreneurs and were so confident to do so - very impressive.
KEY COMPETENCIES
Throughout this unti the competencies were a key focus. Children showcased the competencies and the skills involved throughout the unit in practical ways. This reinforced their importance to learning. The children could see how the competencies assist their learning and their language of reflection was developed throughout.
Children became more honest about setting themselves goals and although the all competencies were threaded throughout the unit, they could see what ones were used more frequently and for which purposes - very powerful learning.
Tony Ryans thinkers keys
These were fantastic tools fr this unit - it forced creative and critical thinking.....
The BAT key was used directly for inventions and the children quickly let their imagination go wild but then had to turn around and justify their ideas and wether or not they would be practical, this tuned in their critical thinking. Children could analyse ideas quickly and then take a step back and be honest with their thought and were more accepting of criticism than at other times. Children became more confident to experiment with ideas but also look at others ideas with a greater sense of maturity.